The Power of Female Friendship: Finding Your Circle

The Importance of Being There

The other day, I received a photo that stopped me in my tracks.

Twelve women were gathered, my best friend among them. They had dropped everything—jobs, families, routines—to drive for hours and support one of their own after a tremendous loss. They came with casseroles, candles, wine, tissues, open hearts, and tired eyes. They didn’t show up to fix anything but simply to be there.

It wasn’t a performance. It was instinct, love, and the kind of sisterhood that holds you when the world falls apart.

As I stared at that image, something in me cracked open. I know that kind of friendship; I’ve lived it. But I also know what it feels like to miss it.

The Challenges of Change

When I returned to Canada during the pandemic after ten years abroad, everything had changed. Lockdown meant isolation, but the deeper shift was something more internal. I had spent a decade building a life elsewhere—growing businesses, exploring new cultures, evolving in ways that only distance and experience can shape.

When I returned, I didn’t just leave behind a home; I left behind a version of myself and the community that knew her well. Naturally, I had grown apart from some friends I used to be close to. This change was not due to conflict, but because life had taken us in different directions.

Sometimes, when you return, changed by the world and what it has taught you, it can be hard to find your footing again. It’s challenging to explain the ways you’ve expanded. It can be difficult to reconnect in a way that feels aligned.

A Shared Experience

In the quiet of those early months, I realized I wasn’t alone in feeling this way. In my stores, woman after woman came in carrying the same ache. They weren’t just shopping; they were searching. They sought community, conversation, and someone to say, “I get it. Me too.”

I heard stories of reinvention after divorce, loneliness after retirement, grown kids, and quiet homes. There were women who had dedicated decades to pouring into others but were now asking, Who pours into me?

And let’s not ignore the topic of perimenopause and all the associated symptoms. It became clear that many of us are navigating full lives, yet our friendships might feel distant or altogether missing.

The Power of Female Friendships

Here’s a powerful belief I’ve come to hold:

Our female friendships are often the longest and most sustaining relationships of our lives. They are the ones that show up with soup and sprightly sarcasm. They don’t require small talk and let you be fully yourself—grief, growth, joy, and all.

📊 Harvard’s landmark research tells us strong female social bonds are the #1 predictor of lifelong happiness.

📊 Other studies reveal that female friendships can reduce stress, boost resilience, and even increase our lifespan.

These aren’t just nice-to-haves—they are life-giving.

Reconnecting with Your Circle

But if you’ve outgrown old circles—or never had them in the first place—where do you begin? That’s the question that led me to create Grit & Grace Adventures. It wasn’t just about traveling; it was about gathering women in their wisdom years, providing a space to be seen, heard, and held without needing to explain or prove anything.

Here’s what we aim for:

• To laugh until your belly hurts.

• To cry without apologizing.

• To find your people—the ones who were not part of your past but are absolutely meant to be part of your future.

  
  

If you’ve been feeling like something is missing, maybe it’s not a new place you need. Perhaps it’s a circle—one that holds you, exactly as you are, as you bravely navigate this next chapter of your life.

You’re not too old to find your people. In fact, now might be the perfect time.

Embracing the Adventure

Finding good friends can feel daunting, but the journey is worth it. As we move through different stages of our lives, our needs change, and so do our friendships. The adventure of reconnecting with old friends or finding new ones can lead to fulfilling experiences and lasting connections.

No matter where you are on your journey, remember that friendship is a vital part of life. It enriches our experiences, adds joy, and provides comfort during difficult times.

So, don’t hesitate to reach out and forge new connections. Nurture the friendships you already have. After all, we are all in this together, and the bonds we create can make even the toughest moments more bearable.

In friendship and adventure,

Penny